roscoe5

Sorry, was travelling for work. Those were some of my first v1 experimental IR's. I played back through them today though and still like them. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/009bkqzooza1aop/AADhgWBm3EfcN6205-IWaGZaa/IR?dl=0

Great! Voted. This could possibly extend the usable life of the JTV as well.

Does the JTV Variax VDI pass the unaffected piezo signal? How about the 1/4" jack?

Oh ok. To that I can say that even after I installed Helix drivers, my Eleven Rack ASIO, Line 6 UX2 and UX8 ASIO, Avid MBOX 2 Pro, and ASIO4ALL I use with my IK Pro Duo all still show up in AT4 and function. I only connect one at a time. I went through all of them when I first got Helix to test stability, feel, and latency during my Helix trials.

Just reporting in that Positive Grid Bias FX, Amp, and pedal (demo version) works well with Helix. I'm able to set my buffer at 64 samples. Looking to BIAS as another DAW option in the arsenal. It seems to be on sale now too. I don't think the demo comes with MIDI control or advanced amp tweaking like tubes, tone stack, transformers, and amp match. The videos look and sound good. Does anyone have any experience with Helix and the full version of BIAS?

Sorry, moved many to a v1 folder in that dropbox location.

Oh hey, I also notice I get hum when I connect mu USB cable to the Helix. Is the hum there when USB is not connected?

Sorry, I couldnt find the post off had where I said I was going to look at the Helix driver in Amplitube. But the quirk I was thinking of in Amplitube settings is that you have to set the Output Device to ASIO Helix first before you can set the input devices. Kinda silly since that Output Device setting is in the middle of the window.

Dang phone auto correct...

Distance is radially/horizontally across the face of the speaker, similar to physical IRs, which is what Helix cabs do not currently offer. And yes, I would highly recommend anyone grabbing AT4 + Mesa pack for $159 while it is on sale this month. It will give you the Mesa cabs and newest Marshall-based collection. Between the two, you will cover a lot of ground. To me playing the Helix amps through the Amplitube cab room, adjusting mic types, speaker types, even setting up dual cabs and 4 mics, mixing it all on the fly, then ripping it to an IR for live use is a MUCH better and less frustrating workflow than scrolling through an IR library. Once i get a good cab IR, i really dont need to keep adjuating it. If I do, I have it saved as a cab preset in Amplitube. Plus you get some great amps for your DAW too! Amplitube would likely be a dominant force in the IR market if they would publish an IR export utility for us with modellers. I'm about to start pounding their message boards again for this. Fractal has a Cab utility where you can mix, tweak, and export IRs. Redwirez has something similar wit mixIR. But neither have the functionality, flexibility, and polish of the Amplitube cab room. Im sure Amplitube cabs are fundamentally IR'S just like everyone else. They just have a better interface and organization The point of me posting IRs was not necessarily to generate an Uber library, but to prove that users have other options available to make usable, more custom IR'S for themselves. We don't HAVE to rely on someone else's interpretation of what sounds good with their guitar and recording gear when they made their IR. We can make IR's customized to our Helix, amps, preamps, electric kazoo, whatever we can plug into a computer. Maybe I'll post some clips and video or two this week.

+1 to using the Apple "camera" adapter and leveraging audio back on USB 1/2. Unless you were wanting to add effects to the audio.

I'll look at mine tomorrow. I recall something funky where I had to set the output driver in AT before i could set the corresponding inputs. But heads up in another annoyance. AT doesn't seem to recognize Helix for MIDI (over USB) when the Helix editor is open. Not sure if this is a bug or simply two apps conflicting for Helix controls. Oh and words hurt Spikey ;)

I believe the AX8 and the Axe Fx II have the same models if someone has one of those for you to try. I don't think anyone will give you a hard time for considering other products. A few of us here were in the same boat between Helix and AX8. Personally, I would love to hear your feedback on the AX8 or Axe FX and comparison with Helix if you get to try one.

Yeah, even Line 6 says IR's use more DSP and say that their HX Hybrid Cabs use less. I bet Line 6 hears us though. The additional mic position and angle options could help. Maybe remodeling/re-IR'ing their cabs wouldnt take much effort for them if they need to do it.

Most online retailers offer a 30 day or so return policy. I'm not sure if a restocking fee is charged. I do see some open box ones come up 10-20% cheaper sometimes. Overall I'm a Helix fan. It was a few bugs and maybe a little room for standard updates and improvements, but Line 6 seems to be very responsive and proactive. But Helix has had a huge positive impact on my studio and live workflows. I think you will love the way it integrates with your computer setup with a single USB 2.0 connection to your computer for 8 channels of IO, complete MIDI control of your DAW or other sound apps, and new new beta PC editor. If you are using PC, the Helix ASIO drivers are MUCH better than ASIO4ALL. Helix's USB (and DIN) MIDI functionality and customization are second to none. I think the amp models and effects are stellar, and future updates will likely add more and more. One of the things with Helix that seems to really affect the tone are the current built-in HX cabs. This could be a factor in the "less than stellar" high gain tone reviews you've seen. Many users prefer to use 3rd party impulse responses (IR's) of cabs instead. But even some Fractal Axe FX users and DAW users use these same pro IR's. There are free IR's available as well as some really reasonable pro ones from Ownhammer. I would bet Line 6 is hearing the user feedback loud and clear though. I think maybe a few additional mic position controls and options could bring the Helix cabs on par with the pro IR's.

I think once the ideas go to In Review, you cannot vote anymore.

Oops, yep...the Ext channel switch amd relay issue I think sorry.

I have to use Helix with an isolated/filtered power strip with my Mesa amps. It looks like something from the 80's or 90s I got from the office. It's called a Tripp Lite Isobar model IB-6 noise filter and surge suppressor. Each pair of outlets is isolated/filtered. I have Helix in a dedicated pair. Seems to do the trick.

I think somewhere in that Unbearable Patch Switching Delay (immortal) post that it was mentioned (by DI?) that Line 6 continually works on performance optimizations. I think there was also a bit of discussion on the fact that Helix dynamically allocates DSP and has flexible signal routing and control, which is more to process between patch changes There hasn't been an update that specifically addresses it yet though.

Oh, and an idea I submitted about adding a speaker breakup slider quickly went to In Review status with almost no votes. So I don't know if this is an indication it may already be in the works, but it was encouraging.

Voted. I found an idea titled "Mic Distance" that asked for a parameter to move the mic from cone to edge, and cited for that too. It was back from Nov 2015. On my phone and can't grab a link.

I'm choosing to have some faith in Line 6 and not looking to other solutions. They nailed the hardware spec, form factor, and flexibility. Any other solution would be a compromise for me. Models and software can evolve and be released, as shown by Fractal, Ownhammer, and Amplitube. I'm sure Line 6 has awareness of the market, users, and it's products. With the number of units sold, we are certainly showing our interest and support, and likely funding further development. I would be curious on some stats of Helix units sold vs other manufacturers. I've also seen that they value honest user feedback and ideas, which also reinforces my decision to stay with Line 6 and Helix as my solution.

Preface I've been reluctant to post this knowing how some of these types of threads can go, but the issues have been burning in my mind and I am now fully vested in Helix as the main part of my musical process. I only have positive intent and mean this to be constructive for Line 6. Helix HX Cabs seem to have been created using IR's, with likely some other proprietary algorithms for the "Hybrid Cabs" lower DSP usage. Let me also say that I would MUCH prefer using Helix HX cabs over 3rd party and my own IR's. I am sure that Line 6 has the knowledge, experience, ability, and resources to create superior cabinet simulations...and the iron is hot with Helix. Helix blog, Helix Hybrid Cabs http://line6.com/helix/blog.html "...speaker cabinet emulations that are created using impulse responses (like the ones in Helix)..." Observations In researching 3rd party IR's, my experience with Amplitube and Eleven Rack, creating some homebrew IR's, and further researching the Helix HX Cabs, I am noticing some differences in methods and functionality of the HX Cabs. 1. HX Cab Distance control seems to only move the mic away from the grille, not horizontally across it like 3rd party IR's. I'm finding in Ownhammer, Redwirez, my own IR's. and Amplitube, moving the mic horizontally across the the "face" of the speaker grille makes very usable alterations in tone and frequency. Now it does seem to require separate IR's for each horizontal distance increment. 2. The Helix HX mic distance starts at 1" from the speaker grille. Some of the best usable live sounds I am getting from 3rd party IR's, my own IR's, and Amplitube are mic ON the grille. Helix Manual, Cab Settings, p.28 "Distance: Sets the distance (1 inch to 12 inches) between the mic and the speaker grille." Helix Hybrid Cabs Blog http://line6.com/helix/blog.html "...a hybrid cab allows you to move the microphone from directly on the grill to up to 12 inches away (in .5 inch increments)" 3. What sort of amplification was used in creating the Helix HX cabs? There is a certain tone and frequency response from the HX Cabs that drove me (and maybe others) to preferring IR's. Ownhammer V4 IR's (maybe previous) are using a "secret" neutral tube amp. Rewirez uses an impedance cure to simulate a tube amp "shaping" a speaker's frequency responsne. My personal IR's sound best to me when I run the impulse signal through my tube power amps. http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/ownhammer-v4-impulse-response-libraries.112901/ All of the V4 guitar cab libraries are driven by a neutral tube amp, using a BAE 1073mp mic amp, Vovox cables, and Prism Orpheus conversion. http://www.redwirez.com/free1960g12m25s.jsp We've added IRs of the G12M's impedance curve at varying degrees of prominince. These can be used to capture the effect of a tube amp interacting with the speaker. In general, tube amps have a higher output impedance than solid-state amps. As a result the speaker's frequency response is shaped to varying degrees by it's own impedance curve. All of our cabs will be getting this update in the near future. 4. Avid Eleven Rack had a cool "Speaker Breakup" control on their cab models (a slider on the cab in the computer editor). Now I couldn't tell you how this was modeled or how authentic it is, but it was very useful. See attached pic. Conclusion I realize Helix was 5-6 years in the making. I truly believe that the Helix amp models are leading edge. IR creation methods and usage have changed a lot in that time period, and many users prefer 3rd party IR's over Helix HX Cabs. Other IR companies were started, and even on version 4 within this time frame. Is it possible that the Helix HX cab modeling is one of the older components in Helix? Does it need a refresh incorporating some the best methods and features from competitor products, as well as some industry-leading Line 6 innovation(s)?

Sorry if I missed something in a previous post, but consider that Helix will probably still be a great computer and mobile device interface and controller long after its hardware modelling capabilities become obsolete. It is a much better form factor for this than Kemper, Fractal, etc. To me this means a 5+ year life cycle. I actually had this in mind when I purchased Helix, and it has more than reinforced this value to me even with current generation Amplitube. I personally have no issue plugging an iPad 1000 or advanced tablet PC into this in 5 years and continue to use it. Computer and mobile hardware continues to improve and is cheaper to upgrade or replace than these hardware modelling units. Computer and mobile modelling and stability is really almost on par with hardware now. In 2-3 years computer/mobile may surpass hardware modellers. A device that integrates with these platforms (like Helix) will prove it's worth. Who knows, but it would make sense to me to have Line 6 release next gen models on those platforms in the future and tightly integrate legacy Helix, as well as any new products. Maybe a few years down the road even give registered Helix owners a break on future computer/mobile platform-based model packs.

Nice tones and riffs. Sounds like you were using a browned-out Plexi Helix model. Would you mind giving some Marshall Checked Grill Greenback IR's I just made a spin? I took a stab at matching what you had going on. MarshChk GB 0iDC.wav with a Dynamic 57 on the center cap sounded closest since you had some sizzle in that clip. This is mixed with a Condenser 87 on the other half to sweeten things up. I posted 1 & 2in from the center cap as well. I also made a couple with dual Condenser 87 mics for a little smoother sound, one 0-2in away from the cap. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/009bkqzooza1aop/AADNd1wKUEAUOM93PL2D_QZ7a/IR/V2/Marsh%20Check%20GB?dl=0 May want to tweak the Helix IR block low cut and high cut some too. Low Cut around 140Hz and High Cut around 10,000Hz seems pretty close to your clip.